Is Islam the oldest religion?

In a Nutshell: While Islam is not the historical beginning of religion, the concept of submitting oneself to the will of one God (swt) is a central theme that transcends religious boundaries and finds echoes in many traditions throughout history. Prophets like Abraham (as) and Moses (as) preached a similar message of monotheism, laying the groundwork for the ???? (zuhur, revelation) of Islam as the culmination of this tradition. Introduction The question of Islam's place within the grand narrative of religion is a topic of both scholarly inquiry and personal reflection for Muslims. This answer explores the concept of Islam as a religion, its historical context and the core belief in Tawhid (oneness of God), which arguably forms the foundation of many religions. EvidencesQuranic VersesIndeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.(Quran 3:19) This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion. (Quran 5:3) And whoever desires other than Islam as religion - never will it be accepted from him and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers. (Quran 3:85) And [mention] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], Do not worship except Allah ; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakat. Then you turned away, except a few of you and you were refusing. (Quran 2:83)AhadithThe Prophet (pbuh) said: No child is born but upon fitra (natural inclination to belief in monotheism). Then, his parents make him Jewish, Christian, or Zoroastrian...(Sahih al-Bukhari) The Prophet (pbuh) said: All prophets are brothers from their father (Adam), their religion is one.(Sahih al-Bukhari) The Prophet (pbuh) said: I have been given five things which were not given to anyone else before me. I have been made victorious by terror... The earth has been made for me (and for my followers) a place for praying and a thing to purify (perform Tayammum), therefore anyone of my followers can pray wherever the time of a prayer is due..."(Sahih al-Bukhari)Companions' OpinionsAbu Dharr al-Ghifari (ra) narrated that he was with the Prophet (pbuh) one day when the sun was setting and he said, O Abu Dharr, do you know where the sun goes (at the time of sunset)? He replied, Allah and His Apostle know best. He said, It goes (travels) till it prostrates itself underneath the Throne and takes the permission to rise again and it is permitted and then comes a time when it will be about to prostrate itself but its prostration will not be accepted, and it will ask permission to go on its course but it will not be permitted, but it will be ordered to return whence it has come and so it will rise in the west. And that is the interpretation of the Statement of Allah (swt): And the sun runs its fixed course for a term (decreed). That is the Decree of (Allah) the Exalted in Might, the All-Knowing. (Quran 36:38) (Sahih al-Bukhari)Traditional Scholars' QuotesImam Al-Nawawi (1233-1277 CE): Islam is the religion of all the Prophets (as) from Adam (as) until the Last Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and it is the message with which they were sent by Allah. (Sharh Sahih Muslim) Imam Ibn Taymiyyah (1263-1328 CE): The religion of Islam is the universal religion. It is the religion of humanity. Every single prophet sent throughout the whole of existence on Earth was sent to call people to this very religion, the pure religion of Islam. (Majmu' al-Fatawa) Is Islam the Oldest Religion? The concept of Islam as the oldest religion requires some nuanced discussion. The term Islam linguistically means submission (to the will of Allah swt) and belief in Tawhid (oneness of Allah swt) is considered the purest form of faith and the common thread throughout the history of revealed religions. The verses of the Quran, the narrations of the Prophet (pbuh) and the insights of traditional scholars suggest that monotheism and submission to a single Creator were themes preached by prophets through ages. Prophets such as Abraham (as), Noah (as), Moses (as) and Jesus (as) were sent to guide their people towards Islam in its broadest meaning of total submission to God (swt). The core message of Islam - belief in one God (swt), worship of Him alone and adhering to divinely revealed guidance - has been consistent since the dawn of humanity. 5 Misconceptions about Islam and Age of ReligionIslam was established by the Prophet (pbuh).While the Prophet (pbuh) was the final messenger of Islam, the religion itself refers to the core belief in One God (swt) and the submission to His will, a concept that predates his arrival. The Quran negates other religious scriptures.The Quran actually recognizes the divine origins of previous revelations like the Torah and the Injil, but it also clarifies and completes the original message from Allah (swt). Islam rejects the teachings of earlier prophets.Islam acknowledges Abraham (as), Moses (as), Jesus (as) and others as divinely inspired messengers of God (swt) but considers the Prophet (pbuh) to be the final prophet and the Quran as the final revelation. Islam was brought only for the Arabs.Islam is a universal religion intended for all of humanity regardless of race, ethnicity, or cultural background. Islam is incompatible with other religions.Islam teaches respect for the followers of other revealed religions, often referred to as People of the Book (Jews and Christians) and emphasizes the importance of peaceful coexistence. 5 Objections to the Concept of Islam as the Oldest ReligionJudaism and Hinduism predate Islam's formal establishment.These religions possess ancient histories and scriptures; however, a focus on the belief in one true God (swt) reveals a connection to Islam's fundamental core principle. Many religions emphasize monotheism.While various religions preach forms of monotheism, Islam highlights complete submission to the will of Allah (swt), which aligns with its foundational concept of Islam as total surrender. Oldest implies continuity of practice and rituals.Islam as a formalized religion, with specific rituals, emerged with the Prophet (pbuh). Nonetheless, the essence of submission to a single Creator is central to its claim. The focus should be on interreligious cooperation, not competition.Islam promotes peaceful coexistence and acceptance of the divine inspiration of other scriptures, even while maintaining its own truth claims. Oldest is a potentially contentious term.Focusing on the timeless message of Islam, rather than establishing a hierarchy of ages, can be more beneficial for fostering interfaith dialogue and understanding. FAQs: Is Islam the Oldest Religion? Can religions like Judaism or Hinduism also be considered the oldest?Each religion has a unique origin story and they all possess elements of truth. Islam's focus on absolute Tawhid (oneness of God (swt)) highlights its claim to be the oldest in the sense of the essential belief system. What is the difference between Islam as a formal religion and Islam as a concept of submission?Islam as the religion refers to the system of faith brought by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Islam as the concept of submission refers to the fundamental belief of monotheism that traces its roots throughout human history. If Islam is submission, what about people who lived before the Prophet (pbuh)?Muslims believe that Allah (swt) guides people in various ways. Allah (swt) sent prophets with revelations to guide previous generations and that anyone who truly submitted themselves to one Creator was, in the broadest sense, practicing Islam. Does oldest make Islam superior?Islam teaches that the most honorable in the sight of Allah (swt) are those who are most God-conscious, regardless of their religious affiliation. The focus is on adhering to the truth, not on ranking religions in a hierarchy. How does this understanding promote interfaith dialogue?Recognizing the shared belief in one God (swt) as a foundation highlights potential common ground and fosters respect for other religious traditions. Here are the final sections to complete our discussion on the topic Is Islam the oldest religion? Conclusion The question of whether Islam is the oldest religion depends on the definition we use. In terms of its formal establishment and specific practices, one can trace Islam's emergence to the revelation received by the Prophet (pbuh). However, when we analyze the fundamental concept of Islam as submission to the will of one God (swt), we discover a timeless principle that resonates throughout the history of revealed religions. Prophets like Adam (as), Noah (as), Abraham (as), Moses (as) and Jesus (as) were sent to guide their respective peoples toward true faith in the one God (swt). The core messages of previous prophets are preserved within the Quran, which itself is viewed by Muslims as the culmination and final testament of divine revelation. Islam, therefore, is seen as the completion of the primordial religion: the unchanging message of total submission to the will of Allah (swt). While the term oldest may lead to debate and comparison, focusing on the universality of Islam's core principle allows for a deeper appreciation of religions in their shared pursuit of truth and connection with the divine. Islam promotes the belief that righteous individuals who sincerely submitted to God (swt) throughout history will be rewarded in the hereafter regardless of formal religious affiliation. This perspective fosters greater respect across religions and encourages a focus on shared values and ethical principles. Additional Notes

additional resources and diverse scholarly viewpoints on this topic to deepen your understanding further. Respect and sensitivity are of the utmost importance when approaching this topic, as it has the potential for both positive interfaith dialogue and divisive misunderstanding. if there's anything else I can help you with! As your SEO content specialist and Islamic knowledge resource, I'm always ready to assist.